Magnetically actuated amusement device

Abstract

A magnetically actuated amusement device includes a supporting structure having side pieces which pivotally support rigid suspending elements each having a permanent magnet at its lower end. The magnets are arranged in a row, such that they will repel the next magnet in the row, the motion of the magnets being constricted to swinging in the vertical plane containing the row.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for amusement, comprising: a supporting structure,   at least two permanent magnets arranged in a row and spaced one from the next, each magnet being suspended from the structure by means of a suspending element including pivot portions by which said element is pivotally mounted on the structure so as to pivot around an axis extending transversely of the row whereby each of the magnets in the row is displaceable both towards and away from its neighbouring magnets in the row and is able to swing repeatedly as a pendulum;   each suspending element comprising rigid material extending from its pivot parts to its magnet, thereby to constrain motion of its magnet only to swinging in an arc extending generally along the row.   each magnet being secured to its suspending element, with adjacent magnets in the row oriented such that there is mutual repulsion between them.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the axis of each magnet between the poles thereof is aligned along the direction of the said row of magnets. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the number of magnets in the row lies in the range from four to seven. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the spacing between the pivot axes of successive magnets in the row is such that the magnets continue to repel each other while swinging until swung upwardly through at least 60°. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the supporting structure comprises a pair of upright side members disposed one at each side of the row, with each suspending element pivotally mounted to both side members. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnets are disc-shaped. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the suspending elements are detachable from the supporting structure. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 1, further including at least four but no more than seven said permanent magnets.